Just because you may be outdoors, don't think your shots wouldn't benefit from a little fill flash, as you can see in the above image.

Some sporting events will have an award presentation afterwards. If so, capture that as well. The crowd at the Village Cyclocross thinned out little by little after each race, so by the time the last race started there weren't too many people left, and a ceremony seemed unlikely. So I packed it up. But keep in mind there may be one.

After all is said and done, and you've proofed the images, tossed the junk, and cropped the good ones, give copies to the teams or organizations involved. It will go a long way to being welcome at future events. When you give them copies, also give them a release to use the images on their Web site and in organizational promotions, but make it clear that as the photographer you still retain ownership and copyright of the images. This is to protect both you and the organizations. It makes clear exactly what you, and they, are and are not allowed to do with the images.

Make it clear that if they would like to use the images for something other than what's covered in the release, they merely have to ask and you'll gladly provide them with another release for that purpose. Also, state in the release whether or not any compensation is expected or exchanged.

Conclusion
Anyone can get good action and sports photographs with the proper equipment and an investment in preparation. Get there early to meet the participants and staff. Find out from those involved where you can and cannot go, and where the best shots will be. Be cautious about capturing injury and grief, and how you portray them. A long lens may be helpful and less intrusive in those situations.

Cover everything from pre-event to post awards, and if you're lucky, you may even scoop the local media, with the possibility of selling your images to them. In the case of the Village Cyclocross, the local media was only just arriving when I was leaving, and I haven't seen any of their coverage of the event. Finally, be sure to give the event participants copies of your images, along with a release so they can use them for organizational promotion. It will make you memorable, and welcome at future events. Good luck and good shooting.

I'd like to thank Bruce Grell, Donnie Miller, and all the members of the DICE Racing Team for their input, advice, and for making me feel welcome. Thanks guys!

Wallace Wang is the author of The Book of Nero 6 and Steal This Computer Book, both published by No Starch Press. Besides writing computer books, he also performs stand-up comedy, having appeared on A&E's "Evening at the Improv" and appearing regularly at the Riviera comedy club in Las Vegas.